Daniel Wiffen has made Irish swimming history by winning gold in the 800m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.
The County Armagh man became the first Irish swimmer to win a medal at the world championships, and did so in style in a time of 7:40.94
Wiffen was second quickest in qualifying, and maintained that form in the final, reeling in Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri, who was pipped for silver by .03 of a second by Australian Elijah Winnington (7:42.95)
Paltrinieri was in lane one and Winnington in lane eight, so Wiffen was aware from the start where the challenge would come from.
“My goal coming in, I knew it was the outside lane (the challenge) would be coming from. So I stuck to my own plan and be in it in the last 50. It’s good.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming to support, it is actually Ireland’s first ever world championship medal,” he said in his post-race interview.
“I’m amazed. I really wanted to win this one, especially after breaking the (short course) world record in December. To go on and win the world championships is just class.
The Loughborough University student will now turn his attention to securing further success in the 1500m freestyle event.
More to follow…
